Bonding boys

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HumberHen

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Hi there
I recently posted about my bereaved boy Nyx aged 31/2 approx. We have collected a boy ten months from a great sanctuary. He had been separated from a bullying brother. They have been in a huge run in the garden for about 5 hours. The new boy won't let my boy eat he is very quiet and flat. New boy Chasing him away from all the piles of food. How long may this continue and when should I intervene? My boy lost weight following his bereavement. They will need to be in the large indoor playpen overnight which is a worry. I can return the new boy if it doesn't work but would like to know how to proceed. Thank you
 
I'm sorry to say this sounds to be a failed bonding.
This kind of resource guarding/bullying behaviour shouldn’t occur at all with a successful acceptance and bonding. I would definitely separate them now.

When did you pick up the new boy?
I ask this as to whether the new boy was given at least several days/a week (even two is ok) in a side by side cage with your boy to settle in and get to know each other between the bars prior to the bonding attempt?
If he only arrived today then attempting a bonding now could just be too soon - a scared piggy in a new environment can overreact, be fear aggressive and that sets up the bonding to be on a bad footing or even fail.
With that said, being side by side for any amount of time won’t make any difference to the outcome if they are simply incompatible. Unfortunately though he may always be fear aggressive from previously being bullied.
 
Hi there
No we picked him up this morning and we're advised to put them in the large pen together they've been there about 7 hours. My boy has been out to graze a little without interference just now. Do you think my sanctuary boy has learnt from his own previous bad experience and is copying this behaviour? I will need to bring them in in a couple of hours. I have made a huge playpen in our spare bedroom but it is a worry for over night
 
It’s better to allow them settling down time in separate side by side cages for up to a week, and not attempt bonding immediately.

It’s not necessarily that he has learnt it and is copying it, it’s more about being scared in new situations and around new piggies and shows his fear by being overly aggressive or dominant. A fear aggressive piggy ultimately is terrified and overreacts because of it.

When you say ‘out’ to graze - have you put hides in the bonding pen? Hides should never be included in the neutral territory as a hide simply then becomes territory and can cause problems

Moving them to an indoor pen and monitoring further may be possible - I would do it right now though, not in a new hours time as you are simply reducing the amount of time you have to monitor. But also be aware that it is new territory and they will react accordingly with new rounds of dominance.
If things still don’t improve in the indoor pen, then I would call it failed. Whether through fear aggression or incompatibility, there should not be this level of issue
 
Thanks for your prompt reply. They have two cardboard boxes with the ends cut out so like a big tunnel. Should I remove these when I bring them in ? I will do it now. Everything is clean and neutral in the indoor space.
 
Hi again
Tried the bonding in the neutral area. My sanctuary boy got quite aggressive and tried to take a bite out of Nyxs back. Fortunately he got a Rosette of hair instead. I have gave cleaned out a spare hutch and they will be near each other in the garage. I have a run with a divider so will run them parallel for a few days then try again
 
I’m sorry the bonding hasn’t been straight forward. Hopefully next time it will go better. 🤞🏻
 
I’m sorry to hear that.
As an aggressive bite attempt occurred, I would be very reluctant to try again - this sounds very much like a fail to me unfortunately.

If you are going to try it, I would leave it longer than a few days, and be very ready with oven gloves and towels - grudges are held so things may escalate
 
Do keep in mind that their behaviour when side by side is not indicative of their ability to bond. It is just about calming and settling down.
Some Side by side behaviours such as laying against the bars are actually hostile/territory marking moves, and not friendly/want to be together moves

Good luck
 
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